DSJ Hits

Southern Methodist University bans 9/11 memorial because of new “triggering” policy ~ ROBERT SPENCER (jihadwatch.org)

Universities today are radioactive wastelands of Leftist indoctrination, including a pronounced hostility to America and sympathy for jihad terrorism.

“9/11 memorial banned from campus venue because of new ‘triggering’ policy,” by Kayla Schierbecker, The College Fix, August 2, 2017:

A private Texas university has united student opinion across the ideological spectrum in opposition to a “restrictive and destructive” policy that bans a September 11 memorial display.

Southern Methodist University rebuffed its Young Americans for Freedom chapter’s request to host a display in a prominent campus location, violating the spirit of free speech, student groups told The College Fix.

The administration claims it is trying to accommodate the speech without disrupting existing college operations. But one allied group believes the new rules on “lawn displays” — motivated by an SMU commitment to avoid “triggering” students — are intended to stop pro-life messages that have proven more controversial….

Last month Grant Wolf, president of the YAF chapter, requested the use of the Dallas Hall Lawn…for a display involving nearly 3,000 American flags to memorialize those killed in the terrorist attacks. YAF’s display has been held on the lawn annually since 2015.

In emails dated July 24 obtained by The Fix, the university rejected the group’s proposed location for the Sept. 10 event but modified it to take place less than a quarter-mile away.

“The University has a new policy regarding Memorial Lawn Displays (see below) so I have changed the location of your request to MoMac Park,” Student Activities Coordinator Lydia Dale wrote in an email.

The new restrictions are intended to strike a balance between “the right of all members of the SMU community to express their opinions” and their right to “avoid messages that are triggering, harmful, or harassing,” according to the lawn display guidelines reprinted in the email….